Wannabe rapper is convicted in NYC murder case

NEW YORK, N.Y. - A reputed street gang leader has been convicted of murder at a New York City trial that featured his amateur rap videos.

Ronald Herron was found guilty Thursday in federal court in Brooklyn.

During the trial, prosecutors showed jurors videos of Herron rhyming about carrying guns and spilling the blood of rivals. The government argued the recordings were proof of his status as the violent leader of a Bloods faction called the Murderous Mad Dogs.

Before the trial, the defence had unsuccessfully argued that the videos should be off-limits because they're free speech. Herron has testified that his lyrics were exaggeration and hyperbole.